Sanjoaninas is the Azores’ biggest secular festival, full stop. For ten days every June, Angra do Heroísmo’s UNESCO-listed historic centre is taken over by marches, concerts, bullfights, street food, fireworks, philharmonic bands, sports, exhibitions, and a level of all-night activity the rest of the year doesn’t see. In 2026 it runs from Friday, 19 June through Sunday, 28 June.
The 2026 theme is “Angra e a Açorianidade”, chosen to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Azorean Autonomy. The theme text is by Tomé Ribeiro Gomes; the festival poster, by Rúben Quadros Ramos, puts a female figure at the centre personifying Autonomy in a moment where past, present and future meet. As Ribeiro Gomes writes in the program: “Nos Açores, e em particular na Ilha Terceira, sem festa não há povo, e sem povo a autonomia não teria nada dentro.” (In the Azores, and on Terceira in particular, without festival there is no people, and without people Autonomy would have nothing inside.)
Below: the complete official program with every concert and every event, stage by stage, day by day. Drawn from the CMAH program book. For last-minute changes check sanjoaninas.cmah.pt on the day.
The four stages
There are four music stages running through the festival. Three are free; one is ticketed:
Palco MEO — Cerrado do Bailão (ticketed)
The headline stage. Nine nights of concerts and DJs, the most consistent late-night programming, and the only stage you need a wristband for.
Palco Continente — Praça Velha (free)
The town’s main square; gravity well of the festival. Most coronation, parade, and city-wide moments land here.
Palco Expert — Largo Prior do Crato (free)
Quieter square in front of the old palace. Programmed toward philharmonic bands, fado, and traditional Portuguese music — a more classical, contemplative slot.
Palco Guarita — Cais da Alfândega (free)
Down at the marina/waterfront. Priority to local bands with original material — cooler air, sea views.
Tickets for the Bailão
The Bailão is the only paid stage. There are three ways to buy:
1. Online — Ticketline — sales open 13 May. You get a paper/PDF ticket; swap it for the actual wristband either at the festival Secretariado at Teatro Angrense between 11 and 24 June, or at the Bailão gate from 19 June.
2. Physical sales — also from 13 May:
- Monday–Friday 8:30–16:00 at the Paços do Concelho (town hall);
- Thursday–Monday at the CCCAH, 90 minutes before each session.
3. At the Bailão gate — on 19 June from 16:00; on subsequent nights from 2 hours before the first show until 30 minutes before the venue closes.
Prices:
- €30 weekly wristband — covers all nine nights. The price hasn’t moved in over a decade.
- €15 daily wristband — sold only at the gate on the day, two hours before the first show (16:00 on 19 June).
- Free for children 12 and under (as of 19 June) when accompanied by a paying adult.
The Séquito Real (Royal Retinue) 2026
Sanjoaninas each year names a Queen and a Royal Retinue who present the festival, lead the opening parade, and represent Angra in the official protocol moments through the ten days. The make-up of the retinue is itself a snapshot of how widely Terceira reaches — there are Damas (Ladies) representing both Portuguese cities and the major diaspora communities.
Rainha (Queen): Laura Meneses Chefe de Protocolo (Chief of Protocol): Afonso Costa Camareira (Lady-in-waiting): Leonor Pereira Pajens (Pages): Carmen Terra, Francisco Pavão Damas (Ladies): Inês Tonel, Margarida Fins
Diaspora and twin-city Damas:
| Dama | Representing |
|---|---|
| Lara Remédios | Évora (mainland Portugal) |
| Maria Camacho | Funchal (Madeira) |
| Addison Capote | Tulare (California diaspora) |
| Audrey Kaefer | Gilroy (California diaspora) |
| Cláudia Xavier | Ribeira Grande de Santiago (Cape Verde) |
| Micaela Borges | Costa Leste (US East Coast diaspora) |
The retinue’s traditional costumes are themselves an exhibition this year — the “Trajes do Séquito Real das Sanjoaninas 2026” display is on view in the Átrio Intermédio of the Paços do Concelho throughout the festival.
A small glossary
A handful of Portuguese terms recur throughout this guide. We’ve left them in Portuguese where that’s how everyone (locals and posters) refers to them, but here’s what they mean:
Places
- Sé — the cathedral; literally “see” (as in episcopal see). The 16th-century mother church on the Rua da Sé.
- Paços do Concelho — the Town Hall, on Praça Velha.
- Praça Velha — “Old Square”, the main square of the historic centre.
- Largo Prior do Crato — “Prior do Crato Square”, a smaller square in front of the old palace, host of the Palco Expert stage.
- Cais da Alfândega — “Customs House Quay”, the marina-side esplanade hosting the Palco Guarita stage.
- Cerrado do Bailão — “the Bailão enclosure”, the dedicated festival arena that hosts the ticketed MEO stage.
- Império — a small, often brightly-coloured chapel maintained by a parish brotherhood for the Espírito Santo (Holy Spirit) festivals; 58 of them across the island.
- Junta de Freguesia / Freguesia — parish council / civil parish.
Bullfighting
- Tourada à corda — rope-bullfighting; a single bull on a long rope, run through the streets by pastores (handlers), with spectators on every wall and porch. Distinctively Terceiran.
- Corrida — a bullfight in the bullring (Praça de Toiros).
- Cavaleiro — mounted bullfighter on horseback.
- Matador — sword-and-cape bullfighter on foot (Spanish-style).
- Forcados — eight-strong team that ends the bullfight by catching the bull bare-handed.
- Ganadaria — cattle-breeding ranch / “house” that supplies the bulls. The two- or three-letter codes (RB, JG, MJR, AL, OT, JAF, ALF, HF, FP, CAJAF, etc.) are the local breeders’ shorthand.
- Espera de gado — informal precursor to a rope-tourada, with the bulls held back at a specific spot for spectators.
Music and parades
- Filarmónica — wind-and-percussion philharmonic band; 25 of them participate in Sanjoaninas, the oldest dating to 1873.
- Charanga — smaller, looser brass ensemble, traditionally associated with sports and scouts.
- Marcha — a costumed troupe with original choreography, music, and props; they parade in sequence through the historic centre on the Noite de São João nights.
- Cantoria — sung Portuguese folk-improvisation, often a duet of singers trading verses.
- Velhas — old folk tunes traditionally sung by women.
- Pezinho — a slow cultural walking-pilgrimage between historic landmarks.
Food and other
- Tasquinhas — small food-and-drink stalls run by local associations, parish committees, and clubs; the cheapest and best way to eat during the festival.
- Sopas do Espírito Santo — Holy Spirit soup; beef-and-mint broth over bread.
- Alcatra — Terceira’s signature slow-braised beef in a clay pot.
- Vinho de cheiro — “scented wine”, the local light table wine.
- Massa sovada — sweet bread.
- Salva de morteiros — artillery salvo (ceremonial cannon blasts at the opening).
- Discurso da Rainha — speech by the festival “Queen”, a symbolic role.
- Fogueiras de São João — São João bonfires; sardines grilled over them.
Friday, 19 June — OPENING
Morning / afternoon
-
09:00 — Mass Sé Cathedral - 09:00 — IV Sanjoaninas Youth Tennis Tournament (Lawn Tennis Club)
- 12:00 — Tasquinhas (food stalls) open
-
14:00 — Futsal Veterans Tournament Pavilhão do Posto Santo -
17:00 — Judo (open training + grading ceremony) ESJEA — Clube Escolar Jerónimus d’Angra - 19:00 — Opening of the Expo Açores Artesanato craft fair
- 19:00–21:00 — Street animation with Azor Brass Charanga through the city
Evening
- 21:00 — Salva de morteiros (ceremonial cannon salvo)
- 21:00 — Abertura da iluminação (city lights switch on)
-
21:45 — Desfile de filarmónicas (philharmonic parade) with the Filarmónica de Instrução e Recreio dos Artistas, Fanfarra Operária Gago Coutinho e Sacadura Cabral, and Banda do Senhor Santo Cristo de Toronto (the Toronto diaspora band) Alto das Covas → Sé → São João → Minhas Terras → Direita → Praça Velha -
22:00 — Desfile de Abertura (opening parade) same route - After the parade — Discurso da Rainha (Queen’s speech) at the Paços do Concelho (Town Hall)
-
After the speech — “Sons da Autonomia dos Açores” (“Sounds of Azorean Autonomy”) — performed by the Orquestra de Sopros da Ilha Terceira (Terceira Island Wind Orchestra) Palco Continente (opening 50-years-of-Autonomy commission)
Night
-
00:00 — Doce Tributo Palco Guarita -
00:00 — Pimbadores Palco Expert -
00:00 — Wet Bed Gang (ticketed) Palco MEO Bailão -
01:30 — DJ I Love 90’s Palco MEO -
02:00 — DJ Rodrigo do Ó Palco Guarita -
03:00 — DJ Simon R Palco MEO
Saturday, 20 June
Morning
-
08:45 — Sanjoaninas Golf Tournament 2026 Terceira Island Golf Course - 09:00 — IV Youth Tennis Tournament; IV Angra Trail (Fanal)
- 10:00 — Squash, ABIT 3×3 basketball (Relvão), road-race Cycling (start at Praça Velha), Canoe regattas (Bay), Padel tournament
- 12:00 — tasquinhas open
-
13:00 — 30th Angra BayCup (sailing) Baía de Angra - 14:00 — Futsal Veterans; “NSIT Swim Schools” Festival (kids 6–10) at the Municipal Pools; Driving-skill demonstration (Terceira Automobile Club) at Praça Almeida Garrett; Jogo do Pau demo (traditional Portuguese stick-fighting) at Praça Velha
- 16:00 — Makkit Dance performance at Praça Velha; Olympic Trap shooting tournament (Campo de Tiro da Achada)
Evening
-
18:00 — Mass Sé; Filarmónica Altarense do Sagrado Coração de Jesus (Altares Philharmonic) Palco Continente; Tourada à corda (rope bullfight) at São Bento (ganadarias RB, MJR, AL, OT) -
19:00 — Filarmónica Nossa Senhora do Pilar das Cinco Ribeiras (Cinco Ribeiras Philharmonic) Palco Expert; book launch «Açorianidade e Autonomia – Páginas Escolhidas» (“Azoreanness and Autonomy – Selected Pages”) by Ferraz da Rosa Paços do Concelho - 19:00–21:00 — Street animation with pinga-amores (fire spinners — the Icarus et Lumen troupe) through the city
-
20:00 — Banda do Senhor Santo Cristo de Toronto (visiting Toronto diaspora band) Palco Continente -
21:00 — Lights ON; Desfile do Desporto (Sports Parade) Alto das Covas → Sé → Praça Velha -
After parade — Orquestra Angrajazz (the island’s resident jazz orchestra) Palco Continente
Night
-
23:00 — Contos de Rei Palco Expert; UZOHMS (ticketed) Palco MEO -
00:00 — Lava Blues Palco Guarita -
00:30 — Ivo Lucas (ticketed) Palco MEO -
02:00 — DJ Rui Mendes Palco Guarita; DJ Oram Palco MEO -
03:00 — DJ Miranda Palco MEO
Sunday, 21 June
Morning
- 09:00 — IV Youth Tennis Tournament; Regional BR25m Championship (target shooting)
- 10:00 — Padel Tournament
-
11:00 — Individual time-trial Cycling (start at Santa Bárbara church); Mass Sé - 12:00 — tasquinhas open; Terceira Island Motocross Championship
- 14:00 — Veterans Futsal
Afternoon
- 15:00 — Pezinho (a slow cultural walking-pilgrimage between historic landmarks): Império dos Quatro Cantos → Sede do S.C. Lusitânia → Sé → Teatro Angrense → Palácio dos Capitães-Generais (Captains-General Palace) → Imagem de São João → Sede do S.C. Angrense → Paços do Concelho
-
15:00 — Bubble Skills (Equipa-te × Sanjoaninas) Campo Municipal
Evening
-
18:00 — Mass Sé -
18:30 — Corrida à Portuguesa (Portuguese-style bullfight) — Feira de São João Praça de Toiros (Bullring). Cavaleiros (mounted bullfighters): Tiago Pamplona, João Moura Jr., João Ribeiro Telles. Forcados (bare-handed bull-catching team): Amadores da Tertúlia Tauromáquica Terceirense e Amadores de Turlock (amateur clubs from Terceira and Turlock, California). Ganadarias (cattle breeders): RB, JG. -
19:00 — Karate demonstration Praça Velha; Noite da Criança (Children’s Night) — bouncy castles and activities on Rua da Sé, Rua de São João and Rua Direita - 19:00–21:00 — Street animation with Ataraxius e Guardiões (more Icarus et Lumen fire characters)
-
20:00 — Filarmónica Espírito Santo da Casa do Povo de São Bartolomeu dos Regatos (São Bartolomeu Philharmonic) Palco Continente -
21:00 — Lights ON; Children’s K-Pop Tribute Concert “Guerreiras do K-Pop” Palco Continente
Night
-
22:30 — Cantoria (sung folk-improvisation) Palco Continente; João da Ilha Quartet Palco Expert -
23:00 — Matias Damásio (ticketed) Palco MEO; P*ta da Loucura Palco MEO (same-line billing in the program — confirm on the night) -
00:00 — 3HP Plus Palco Guarita -
02:00 — DJ John C Palco MEO
Monday, 22 June
Day
-
09:00 — Mass Sé - 12:00 — tasquinhas open
-
18:30 — Sanjoaninas CBA2026 Bowling Tournament Pavilhão Multiusos Luís Bretão - 19:00–21:00 — Street animation with fogo (fire characters — Icarus et Lumen)
Evening
-
19:30 — Grandiosa Corrida Mista (Grand Mixed Bullfight — horseback + on-foot) — Feira de São João Praça de Toiros. Cavaleiros: João Moura Jr., João Pamplona. Matador: Marco Pérez. Forcados: Tertúlia Terceirense + Turlock. Ganadarias: JAF, JG. -
20:00 — Filarmónica de Instrução e Recreio dos Artistas (the city’s “Artistas” philharmonic) Palco Continente -
21:00 — Lights ON; Desfile de Charangas (Charangas Parade — small brass ensembles) Alto das Covas → Sé → Praça Velha (see charangas list below) - 22:00 — Desfile de clássicos, motas e todo-o-terreno (Classic Cars, Motorbikes and 4×4 Parade)
-
After parade — Ivo Silva Palco Continente
Night
-
22:30 — Quarto Crescente (local band) Palco Expert -
23:00 — Vizinhos (ticketed — major Portuguese pop band) Palco MEO -
00:00 — Miguel Ormonde Palco Guarita -
00:30 — DJ Souza Palco MEO -
02:00 — DJ Macow & Gonga Palco MEO
Tuesday, 23 June — NOITE DE SÃO JOÃO
By tradition the longest and rowdiest night of the year in Angra. The big adult marches parade tonight.
Day
-
TBD — XXXV Angra Volleyball Tournament Pavilhão Municipal -
09:00 — Mass Sé - 12:00 — tasquinhas open
- 19:00–21:00 — Street animation with Transformers and Style Punk (Icarus et Lumen characters)
Evening
- 21:00 — Lights ON
-
21:00 — Desfile de Marchas de São João (adultos) (Saint John’s Marches Parade — adults) Alto das Covas → Sé → São João → Minhas Terras → Direita → Praça Velha. 34 adult marches parade tonight; the remaining 6 fall on the 24th. (See the full ordem das marchas — order of marches — section below for every one.) -
After parade — Traditional sardinhada e fogueiras de São João (grilled-sardine supper and São João bonfires) Rua de São João
Night (Bailão DJ-only)
-
00:00 — DJ Vitor Palco MEO -
01:30 — DJ Wild do Ó Palco MEO -
02:30 — DJ Carlos Fernandes Palco Guarita -
03:00 — DJ Brothers On Dish Palco MEO
Wednesday, 24 June — DIA DE SÃO JOÃO (feast day, municipal holiday)
Day
-
XXXV Angra Volleyball; National Mini-Basketball Tournament EBI Francisco Ferreira Drummond -
10:00 — Kickboxing Tournament (Academia Desportiva dos Açores) Praça Velha - 12:00 — tasquinhas open
-
13:00–14:00 — Espera de gado (informal bull-wait — the bulls are held at a fixed spot for spectators before the rope-tourada proper) Alto das Covas + Rua de São Pedro (Ganadaria ER)
Evening
-
18:00 — Missa solene do nascimento de São João Batista (Solemn Mass for the birth of Saint John the Baptist) Sé -
18:30 — Corrida Mista de São João (Saint John’s Mixed Bullfight — horseback + on-foot) — Feira de São João Praça de Toiros. Cavaleiros: João Moura Jr., João Ribeiro Telles. Matador: Fernando Adrián. Forcados: Tertúlia Terceirense + Ramo Grande. Ganadarias: RB, JG. - 19:00–21:00 — Street animation with pinga-amores e fogo (fire-spinning Icarus et Lumen characters)
-
20:00 — Angra, EmCanto Sénior (senior choir from the convívio day centres for the elderly) Palco Continente - 21:00 — Lights ON
-
21:00 — Desfile de Marchas de São João (crianças) (children’s marches parade) — 9 children’s marches Alto das Covas → Sé → Praça Velha -
Right after — Desfile de Marchas de São João (adultos) (adults’ marches parade) — the remaining 6 adult marches full Praça Velha route
Night
-
22:30 — Grande Noite de Fado (Grand Fado Night) with Guida Costa, Lisete Silva and Fábio Ourique Palco Expert -
23:00 — Jotta L (ticketed) Palco MEO -
00:00 — Breeze Palco Guarita; Sippinpurpp (ticketed — Portuguese hip-hop) Palco MEO -
02:00 — DJ The White Heads Palco MEO
Thursday, 25 June
Day
- XXXV Volleyball; National Mini-Basketball Tournament
-
09:00 — Mass Sé -
12:00–13:00 — Espera de gado (bull-wait) Rua de São João (Ganadaria ER) - 12:00 — tasquinhas open
Afternoon
-
16:00 — Receção ao Emigrante (Emigrant Reception — welcoming returning members of the diaspora) Paços do Concelho -
16:00 — Open surf lesson (Associação de Surf da Ilha Terceira) Prainha -
17:00 — 7-a-side Football Tournament Campo Municipal
Evening
-
19:00 — Filarmónica Recreio dos Lavradores da Ribeirinha (Ribeirinha Farmers’ Philharmonic) Palco Expert; Street animation with Charanga N8 Dentro -
20:00 — Filarmónica União Sebastianense (São Sebastião Philharmonic) Palco Continente -
21:00 — Lights ON; Desfile da Etnografia: “Entre Brumas e Memórias, a Etnografia da Açorianidade” (Ethnography Parade: “Between Mists and Memories — the Ethnography of Açorianidade”) Alto das Covas → Sé → Praça Velha -
After parade — Atuação de Grupos Folclóricos (folk-dance groups performance) Palco Continente
Night
-
22:30 — Cantoria e Velhas (sung folk-improvisation and traditional “old” tunes) Palco Expert -
23:00 — Mariza (ticketed — one of the most recognised Portuguese fado voices in the world) Palco MEO -
00:00 — Kevin Floyd’s Gang Palco Guarita -
00:30 — DJ Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Palco MEO -
02:00 — DJ Rodrigo Palco MEO
Friday, 26 June
Day
-
XXXV Volleyball; National Mini-Basketball; 09:00 Mass Sé -
10:00 — 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Praia da Vitória Judo Club Pavilhão Municipal - 12:00 — tasquinhas open
- 17:00 — 7-a-side Football Tournament
Evening
- 18:00 — Tourada à corda (rope bullfight) at Santa Bárbara (ganadarias JAF, MJR, AL, FP)
-
19:00 — Filarmónica da Associação Cultural do Porto Judeu (Porto Judeu Philharmonic) Palco Expert; Street animation with Batukes (Afro-Portuguese drumming) -
20:00 — Fanfarra Operária Gago Coutinho e Sacadura Cabral (visiting mainland-Portugal fanfare band) Palco Continente -
21:00 — Lights ON; Desfile das Freguesias (Parishes Parade) Alto das Covas → Sé → Praça Velha (see the freguesias-parade order below — 19 parishes) -
After parade — «Marco Paulo, um ano de Saudade» (“Marco Paulo, A Year of Missing You” — tribute concert to the late Portuguese pop singer) by the Filarmónica Rainha Santa Isabel das Doze Ribeiras Palco Continente
Night
-
23:00 — Artur Miranda Palco Expert -
00:00 — De Lá e de Cá (“From There and Here”) Palco Guarita; Irina Barros (ticketed — popular Portuguese romantic-ballad singer) Palco MEO -
01:30 — DJ Overrule Palco MEO -
02:00 — DJ Gaspar Palco Guarita -
03:00 — DJ Carlos Fernandes Palco MEO
Saturday, 27 June — Dia do Emigrante
Day
- XXXV Volleyball
-
09:00 — Traditional Shotokan Karate Training Camp Estádio João Paulo II; National Mini-Basketball -
10:00 — Judo Club Praia (50-year ceremony); Chess Masterclass with Luís Soares (Azores regional chess association) Teatro Angrense; Nautical Sports Open Day Prainha
Dia do Emigrante — Green Café (Emigrant Day, all day — homecoming for diaspora):
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Venue opens |
| 10:15 | Craft fair opens |
| 11:00 | Flag-raising ceremony with the Toronto Santo Cristo Philharmonic |
| 11:30 | Massa sovada (sweet bread) and milk handed out |
| 12:00 | Grupo de Baile da Canção Regional Terceirense (Terceiran traditional-song dance group) |
| 12:30 | Regional-products tasting |
| 13:30 | Fado singers Vera Brasil and Fábio Ourique |
| 14:30 | Os D’Improviso (improv group) |
Afternoon
- 12:00 — tasquinhas open
-
13:00 — Regata do Solstício (Solstice Regatta — sailing) Baía de Angra -
14:00 — Canastra (card-game) Tournament (Teatro Angrense); Xanaia Jump Azores Zona Balnear da Silveira -
16:00 — 11th Prof.ª Manuela Duarte Festival (gymnastics) Pavilhão Municipal -
17:00 — Simultaneous Chess with Luís Soares (Soares plays many boards at once) Rua da Esperança; 7-a-side Football Tournament -
18:00 — Regional Dance — Santa Casa da Misericórdia Senior Academy Palco Prior do Crato
Evening
-
18:00 — Mass Sé; Banda da Associação de Cabanas de Torres (visiting band from Alenquer, mainland Portugal) Palco Continente -
19:00 — Sociedade Musical Recreio da Terra Chã (Terra Chã Musical Society) Palco Expert; Street animation with Bandilândia on bicycles (brass band on wheels) -
20:00 — Grupo Filarmónico Nossa Senhora das Mercês (Feteira Philharmonic) Palco Continente - 21:00 — Lights ON
-
21:00 — Desfile Infantil (Children’s Parade) Alto das Covas → Sé → São João → Minhas Terras → Direita → Praça Velha (full route) -
After parade — Fala Quem Sabe & Chico Maravilhas (local act) Palco Continente
Night
-
23:00 — Entreparentes Palco Expert; Art’ Fado (ticketed — local fado band, year-round house act at Teatro Angrense) Palco MEO -
00:00 — Coxe Palco Guarita; Nuno Ribeiro (ticketed — Portuguese singer-songwriter) Palco MEO -
01:30 — DJ Roberto Toste Rua de São João; DJ Doubleman Palco MEO -
02:00 — DJ Cristiano Palco Guarita -
03:00 — DJ Gaspar Palco MEO
Sunday, 28 June — CLOSING
Morning
- 09:00 — National Mini-Basketball; Shotokan Karate
-
10:00 — XC Endurance Mountain-Bike Race (Terceira Factory Racing — Fábrica do Pedal) Estádio João Paulo II -
10:00 — Regional Bloc Climbing Championship EBS Tomás de Borba -
10:30 — Women’s 4×4 Off-Road Outing (Clube Ar Livre) start at Praça de Toiros -
10:15 — Coronation Procession towards the Sé Cathedral Pátio da Alfândega → Rua Direita → Praça Velha → Rua da Sé -
11:00 — Sunday Mass with Coronation Sé -
After mass — Coronation Procession towards the Império de São Bento (the brotherhood chapel where the Crown is laid up) Rua da Sé → Praça Velha → Rua do Galo → Rua da Guarita → Largo de São Bento
Afternoon
- 12:00 — tasquinhas open
-
13:00 — Motorbike Ride (Terceiraçor Moto Clube) gathering at Praça Velha -
15:00 — Family Bullfighting Practical Class Praça de Toiros -
15:00 — Açores Cup — Dance Sport Championship Pavilhão Municipal -
15:00 — 8th Annual Chess League Tournament (LDL/CDETB/VHC) Teatro Angrense
Evening
-
18:00 — Mass Sé - 18:00 — Tourada à corda (rope bullfight) at Porto das Pipas (ganadarias RB, JAF, HF, JG)
-
19:00 — Filarmónica Recreio de Santa Bárbara (Santa Bárbara Philharmonic) Palco Expert - 19:00–21:00 — Street animation with Charangaço (a big charanga brass ensemble)
-
20:00 — Filarmónica União Católica da Serra da Ribeirinha (Serra da Ribeirinha Catholic Union Philharmonic) Palco Continente - 21:00 — Lights ON
-
21:00 — Desfile de Filarmónicas (closing Philharmonics Parade) Alto das Covas → Sé → Praça Velha -
00:00 — Espetáculo Pirotécnico (closing fireworks display) launched from the Relvão (a hillside vantage above the bay)
The Official Sanjoaninas 2026 March
The Marcha Oficial das Sanjoaninas 2026 sets the tone for every other march in the parade.
- Theme: “Angra e a Açorianidade”
- Lyrics: Pedro Cravo Fernandes
- Music: Gualter Silva
- Performed by: Banda do Senhor Santo Cristo de Toronto (the visiting Toronto diaspora band)
Excerpt from the official karaoke video:
Berço do Espírito Santo E dos mistérios do mar
E todos juntos nas Sanjoaninas da Ilha Terceira Cantamos alto, com alegria, saltando à fogueira As ruas de Angra engalanadas, as marchas que passam É a raiz açoriana a celebrar o São João
(Loose translation: “Cradle of the Holy Spirit and of the mysteries of the sea / And all of us together at the Sanjoaninas of Terceira Island / We sing loud, with joy, jumping over the bonfire / The streets of Angra decked out, the marches passing by / It is the Azorean root celebrating São João.”)
Full lyrics and the official karaoke video are at sanjoaninas.cmah.pt and on the CMAH YouTube channel.
Ordem das Marchas — 23 June (adult night)
34 adult marches parade tonight, in this order. Letra = lyrics; música = music. We’ve translated the march themes inline so non-Portuguese readers can follow the cultural tagline of each troupe.
- Marcha Oficial das Sanjoaninas 2026 (Official Sanjoaninas 2026 March) — “Angra e a Açorianidade” (“Angra and Açorianidade”) — Banda do Senhor Santo Cristo de Toronto (letra Pedro Cravo Fernandes / música Gualter Silva)
- Marcha Oficial da Praia da Vitória 2025 (Official Praia da Vitória March, 2025 edition) — “Praia, Teu Chão de Lava, Teu Saber a Mar” (“Praia, your lava-floor, your sea-flavour”) — AzorBrass Charanga
- Casa de Saúde de São Rafael (São Rafael Care Home) — “A caminho do Centenário” (“On the way to the Centenary”)
- Instituto das Irmãs Hospitaleiras do Sagrado Coração de Jesus (Hospitaller Sisters Institute) — “Angra, Coração do Atlântico – Terra de Hospitalidade” (“Angra, Heart of the Atlantic — Land of Hospitality”)
- Grupo de Amigos da Marcha Ilha da Graciosa (Friends of the Graciosa Island March) — “Graciosa Pérola dos Açores” (“Graciosa, Pearl of the Azores”)
- Os Amigos da Nené — “Bailar à Terceira” (“Dancing à Terceira”)
- EBI de Biscoitos (Biscoitos School) — “Biscoitos de Fantasia” (“Fantasy Biscoitos”)
- Freguesia de São Pedro (São Pedro Parish) — “São Pedro Sai à Rua” (“São Pedro Takes to the Streets”)
- Vila do Porto Judeu – Dionysus — “Entre o Mar e a Saudade” (“Between the Sea and Longing”)
- TerDança (local dance school) — “É marcha, é ritmo, é salsa” (“It’s march, it’s rhythm, it’s salsa”)
- Freguesia de São Bento — “São Bento o Nosso Chão” (“São Bento, Our Ground”)
- Rosais – São Jorge — “Rosais, Freguesia de Encantos” (“Rosais, Parish of Enchantments”)
- Sociohabita Funchal / Câmara do Funchal – Madeira (visiting from Madeira) — “Tetos de Luz” (“Ceilings of Light”)
- Junta da Vila de São Mateus da Calheta — “São Mateus é Flor do Mar” (“São Mateus is the Flower of the Sea”)
- Baleiros Destemidos – Pico (Fearless Whalers, from Pico) — “Homenagem Aos Baleeiros” (“Tribute to the Whalers”)
- Bailinho da Ceroula – São Miguel — “Autonomia Em Festa” (“Autonomy in Festival”)
- Popular de Rabo de Peixe – São Miguel — “Nossa Vila é Mar e Sol” (“Our Town is Sea and Sun”)
- União Sebastianense Futebol Clube (São Sebastião Football Club) — “Sebastianense é Festa” (“Sebastianense is Festival”)
- Mega Loja Borja Reis (Borja Reis Megastore) — “30 Anos de História” (“30 Years of History”)
- Popular de São Brás — “As Sementes da Alegria” (“The Seeds of Joy”)
- Doze Ribeiras — “O Berço do Sol” (“The Cradle of the Sun”)
- Amigos da Festa Brava (Friends of the Brave Festival — bullfighting fans) — “Amor Ibérico” (“Iberian Love”)
- Bota Que Tem e Freguesia do Posto Santo (local taverna + Posto Santo parish) — “Casa de Pasto Bota Que Tem” (“Eatery ‘Bring It Out’”)
- Sé – Associação Aurora de Harmonias (Sé parish, Aurora of Harmonies Association) — “Ilha de Fogo a Cantar” (“Island of Fire, Singing”)
- Amigos da Vila de São Sebastião — “Vila vem à Festa” (“The Village Comes to the Festival”)
- Junta de Freguesia da Ribeirinha — “Angra, A Essência dos Açores” (“Angra, the Essence of the Azores”)
- Arrifes – São Miguel — “Arrifes Sonha e Avança” (“Arrifes Dreams and Advances”)
- Saudade – Canadá (diaspora group from Canada) — “Terceira no Coração” (“Terceira in the Heart”)
- Associação Cultural da Vila das Lajes — “Lajes, Tu És a Rainha do Carnaval” (“Lajes, You are the Carnival Queen”)
- Amigos das Tradições Terceirenses – Canadá (diaspora group from Canada) — “Chama-nos o São João” (“São João Calls Us”)
- Coriscos (name means “Lightning bolts”) — “Os Açores Somos Todos Nós” (“The Azores is All of Us”)
- Voluntário — “Retalhos da Vida” (“Patches of Life”)
- Amigos da Ribeirinha — “Povo de Alma Brava Sanjoanina” (“A People of Brave Sanjoanina Soul”)
- Casa do Povo do Porto Judeu — “Alma com Açorianidade” (“Soul with Açorianidade”)
That’s the full route from Alto das Covas through Rua da Sé, Rua de São João, Rua dos Minhas Terras, Rua Direita, finishing at Praça Velha. Expect the parade to take well past midnight to clear the route.
Ordem das Marchas — 24 June (children + remaining adults)
Children (9 marches), 21:00, on the shorter Alto das Covas → Sé → Praça Velha route:
- Creche/JI A Gaivota e CALT Atlântida (nursery and day-care) — “Navegando com Amizade” (“Sailing with Friendship”)
- Pequenos Descobridores da Praia da Vitória (Praia’s “Little Discoverers”) — “Angra e a Açorianidade” (“Angra and Açorianidade”)
- EBI da Praia da Vitória (Praia da Vitória primary school) — “São João com Arte” (“São João with Art”)
- Olhar Poente (“Looking West”) — “De Mãos Dadas com a Comunidade” (“Hand in Hand with the Community”)
- Centro Infantil – Colégio O Baloiço — “Nove Ilhas, Nove Flores” (“Nine Islands, Nine Flowers”)
- Colégio Divertiláxia (local school) — “Divertiláxia Vive o São João” (“Divertiláxia Lives São João”)
- Filhos do Mar (“Children of the Sea”) — “Porto Judeu, O Mar Que Sustenta e Fortalece” (“Porto Judeu, the Sea That Sustains and Strengthens”)
- EB/JI de Santa Rita (Santa Rita primary school) — “Aviadores de São João” (“São João Aviators”)
- Obra Social Madre Maria Clara Açores (charity organisation) — “A Marcha do Coração” (“The March of the Heart”)
Adults (6 marches) follow on the full route:
- Veteranos (“Veterans”) — “Festa Brava, Faena de Amor – Homenagem à Tauromaquia” (“Brave Festival, Labour of Love — Tribute to Bullfighting”)
- Amigos da Ganadaria (“Friends of the Cattle Ranch”) — “São Brás Aficionado” (“São Brás Aficionado”)
- Casa do Povo de São Brás (São Brás Community Centre) — “Açorianidade”
- Casa do Benfica na Ilha Terceira (Benfica supporters’ club, Terceira branch) — “Na Terceira Há Luz” (“There is Light in Terceira”)
- Alegria da Ribeira – São Miguel (“Ribeira Grande Joy”, from São Miguel) — “Cavalhadas” (a “cavalcades” theme)
- São Brás, Ribeira Grande – São Miguel — “São Brás no Coração dos Açores” (“São Brás at the Heart of the Azores”)
Total: 40 adult + 9 children’s marches = 49.
The Praça de Toiros (Bullring) — three nights of Feira Taurina (Bullfighting Fair)
| Date / Time | Type | Cavaleiros (mounted) / Matador (on foot) | Forcados (catchers) | Ganadarias (breeders) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 21 Jun, 18:30 | Corrida à Portuguesa (Portuguese-style, no kill) | Tiago Pamplona, João Moura Jr., João Ribeiro Telles | Amadores Tertúlia Terceirense + Amadores de Turlock (amateur clubs from Terceira + Turlock, CA) | Bego Botelho, João Gaspar |
| Mon 22 Jun, 19:30 | Grandiosa Corrida Mista (Grand Mixed: mounted + on-foot) | Cav: João Moura Jr., João Pamplona / Matador: Marco Pérez | Tertúlia + Turlock | José Aleixo Fernandes, João Gaspar |
| Wed 24 Jun, 18:30 | Corrida Mista de São João (Saint John’s Mixed Bullfight) | Cav: João Moura Jr., João Ribeiro Telles / Matador: Fernando Adrián | Tertúlia + Ramo Grande (amateur club from the eastern parishes) | Bego Botelho, João Gaspar |
The breeder shorthand on rope-tourada posters (RB / JAF / JG / etc.) refers to these same houses — RB = Bego Botelho, JAF = José Aleixo Fernandes, JG = João Gaspar.
Plus on Sunday 28 at 15:00, the Aula prática de toureio em família (Family Bullfighting Practical Class) — a family-friendly bullring open session.
Touradas à corda (rope-bullfighting) — three nights in the streets
| Date / Time | Location | Ganadarias |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 20 Jun, 18:00 | São Bento | RB, MJR, AL, OT |
| Fri 26 Jun, 18:00 | Santa Bárbara | JAF, MJR, AL, FP |
| Sun 28 Jun, 18:00 | Porto das Pipas | RB, JAF, HF, JG |
Plus two esperas de gado with ganadaria ER on 24 Jun (13:00–14:00 at Alto das Covas / Rua de São Pedro) and 25 Jun (12:00–13:00 at Rua de São João).
The big parades, in order
Charangas (brass ensembles) — Monday 22 June
- Scout Group 139 (Porto Judeu)
- Scout Group 492 (Conceição)
- Scout Group 630 (Santa Bárbara)
- Scout Group 654 (Ribeirinha)
- Scout Group 803 (São Carlos)
- Ribeira Grande Volunteer Fire Brigade Charanga
Desfile das Freguesias (Parishes Parade) — Friday 26 June
In parade order — these are the 19 civil parishes of the Angra do Heroísmo municipality:
- São Bartolomeu de Regatos · 2. Raminho · 3. Posto Santo · 4. Santa Bárbara · 5. São Pedro · 6. Altares · 7. Nossa Senhora da Conceição · 8. Feteira · 9. Doze Ribeiras · 10. Serreta · 11. Terra-Chã · 12. Vila de São Mateus da Calheta · 13. Ribeirinha · 14. Santa Luzia · 15. São Bento · 16. Vila do Porto Judeu · 17. Cinco Ribeiras · 18. Sé · 19. Vila de São Sebastião
Filarmónicas — 25 bands by founding year
The full philharmonic roster taking part across the festival’s parades, by year of foundation:
- Sociedade Filarmónica Recreio Serretense (1873)
- Sociedade Filarmónica de Instrução e Recreio dos Artistas (1877)
- Sociedade Filarmónica Recreio de Santa Bárbara (1877)
- Sociedade Altarense do Sagrado Coração de Jesus (1879)
- Sociedade Musical das Fontinhas (1884)
- Sociedade Recreativa e Musical de São Sebastião (1886)
- Sociedade Filarmónica Recreio dos Lavradores da Ribeirinha (1889)
- Filarmónica União Praiense (1904)
- Sociedade Filarmónica União Católica da Serra da Ribeirinha (1904)
- Filarmónica Espírito Santo da Casa do Povo de São Bartolomeu (1905)
- Fanfarra Operária Gago Coutinho e Sacadura Cabral (1906)
- Sociedade Filarmónica Espírito Santo da Agualva (1922)
- Sociedade Musical Recreio da Terra Chã (1928)
- Sociedade Recreio Lajense (1931)
- Sociedade Filarmónica Progresso Biscoitense (1932)
- Sociedade Progresso Lajense (1947)
- Sociedade Filarmónica da Vila Nova (1956)
- Banda do Senhor Santo Cristo – Toronto (1966) (visiting from the Toronto diaspora)
- Associação Filarmónica Cultural e Recreativa de Santa Bárbara da Fonte do Bastardo (1985)
- Sociedade Recreativa Filarmónica União de São Brás (1986)
- Grupo Filarmónico de Nossa Senhora das Mercês da Feteira (1986)
- Filarmónica Nossa Senhora do Pilar (1987)
- Sociedade Recreativa Rainha Santa Isabel das Doze Ribeiras (1988)
- Filarmónica da Associação Cultural do Porto Judeu (2001)
- Associação Musical de Cabanas de Torres (2011) (visiting from mainland — Alenquer)
Art — 16 exhibitions running across the festival
In addition to the music, parades, sports and bullfighting, sixteen exhibitions stay open through the festival period:
Centro Interpretativo de Angra do Heroísmo
- Coleção Francisco Ernesto de Oliveira Martins: um percurso sentimental
- Retalhos — Kathi Gulley
Centro Cultural e de Congressos de Angra do Heroísmo
- Rostos Diferentes — Maria Jorge
Paços do Concelho
- Da Pedagogia à Criação — Mariana Conde (Átrio Superior)
- 10 anos do Projeto Didático-Pedagógico “Vida e Obra de António Dacosta” — Isaac Ávila (Átrio Superior)
- Trajes do Séquito Real das Sanjoaninas 2026 (Átrio Intermédio)
Instituto Açoriano de Cultura
- Within the breath of Oyá — Paulo Arraiano
Aerogare Civil das Lajes
- Museu Afora – Cestinha atribuída a Ngungunhane
Museu de Angra do Heroísmo (eight exhibitions)
- Vitrine de Curiosidades – Guarda fato da Barbie
- Olhar o Outro
- Do Mar e da Terra… uma história no Atlântico (the permanent exhibition)
- Portugal, os Açores e a Grande Guerra
- E o Aço Mudou o Mundo: uma Bateria Schneider-Canet nos Açores
- Reserva de Espécies em Pedra
- Espécies em Pedra: Pedras dos Homens
- Transportes dos séculos XVIII a XX
Food: tasquinhas open from noon every day
- Alcatra — Terceira’s signature slow-braised beef in clay pot
- Sopas do Espírito Santo — beef-and-mint broth over bread
- Bifes da grelha and prego no pão
- Queijadas da Dona Amélia — the island’s signature cinnamon-and-molasses pastry
- Vinho de cheiro and the volcanic wines of Biscoitos
Sports — the parallel calendar
Across the ten days, the Câmara runs a sports programme that’s almost a festival in its own right. The big ones:
- Golf — Torneio de Golfe Sanjoaninas (20 Jun)
- Tennis — IV Torneio Juvenil (19–21 Jun); Squash and Padel (20–21 Jun)
- Cycling — Prova em linha (20 Jun), Contrarrelógio individual (21 Jun), BTT XC Resistência (28 Jun)
- Sailing / canoeing — Regatas de Canoagem (20 Jun), Angra BayCup (20 Jun), Regata do Solstício (27 Jun)
- Trail — IV Angra Trail at Fanal (20 Jun)
- Motocross — Prova do Campeonato da Ilha Terceira (21 Jun)
- Basketball — ABIT 3×3 (20 Jun), Torneio Nacional de Minibasquete (24–28 Jun)
- Volleyball — XXXV Torneio Angra Voleibol (23–27 Jun)
- Futsal — Torneio Veteranos (19–21 Jun); Futebol 7×7 (25–27 Jun)
- Judo / Karate / Kickboxing — multiple events including the Clube de Judo da Praia da Vitória 50-year ceremony
- Climbing — Campeonato Regional de Escalada de Bloco (28 Jun)
- Bowling, chess, shooting, surf, dance sport — also on the calendar
Practical notes
- Where to be: most of the action is concentrated in the historic centre between Praça Velha, Rua da Sé, Rua de São João, Rua Direita, and down to Cais da Alfândega. It’s all walking distance.
- Where to stay: book months ahead. Sanjoaninas brings back diaspora from California, Massachusetts, and Toronto, plus visitors from the other islands; the city books up.
- Driving: the centre is closed off and parking gets impossible by mid-afternoon on the busier nights (especially 23, 24, 27). Park outside the centre and walk in, or use the municipal lots.
- Bring cash for the tasquinhas and bullring; cards work at the Bailão and most newer venues, but the smaller stalls and the praça-de-toiros boxes are still cash-first.
- Kids 12 and under enter the Bailão free when accompanied by a paying adult.
- Times on Sanjoaninas posters are local Azores time — the events happen exactly when the poster says (despite Lisbon/Azores time difference, the program runs on island time).
Where the live program lives
The official CMAH program at sanjoaninas.cmah.pt is the source of truth for any last-minute change. The main Sanjoaninas site carries the lineup and the wristband link. Day-of changes (weather, schedule shifts, lineup swaps) go to the official Facebook page first.
For events that touch our calendar here — the bullfights, the touradas à corda, the marches — see our special events calendar.
Contact for the festival organisation: sanjoaninas@cmah.pt.